FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) –  The two killed in what the CHP described as a “violent collision” near Easton on Wednesday were identified as a mother and her 2-year-old girl by the Fresno County Coroner’s Office on Thursday.

According to the coroner’s office, 28-year-old Samantha Kellogg of Fresno and her daughter, 2-year-old Elena Kellogg, were killed in the crash.

Family described Samantha as a beautiful soul who ‘would always have a smile, even in hard times’. They say 2-year-old Elena was always glued to her mom’s side and was ‘such a happy baby just like her mom’.

CHP says the crash happened on Wednesday, December 17, at around 10 a.m. in the intersection of Walnut Avenue and Jefferson Avenue, outside of Easton. Upon arrival, officers found that a Honda Civic and a Chevrolet Tahoe had collided in the intersection.

According to CHP, Samantha was driving a Honda Civic northbound on Walnut Avenue when she failed to stop at a stop sign and went into the path of the Chevrolet Tahoe being driven by a 17-year-old, resulting in what officers described as a “violent collision.”

Officers say neither Samantha nor Elena was wearing a seat belt inside the vehicle; the 2-year-old also did not have a car seat.

The occupants of the Chevrolet Tahoe, a 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy, were both wearing seat belts and sustained minor injuries in the crash, officers say.

The full statement from her family reads: “She was a beautiful soul. She was always one to make sure her kids were good and that they had what they needed. She was a strong woman and would always have a smile on her face, even in hard times. Samantha was a person who wouldn’t hurt a fly. Her kids adored her so much. They were all mommy’s kids. Elena was such a happy baby, just like her mom. Always stuck by her mom’s side. They would get their nails done together, shop together, and watch YouTube together. Elena was a beautiful baby girl and was loved so much by all her family.”

Her older sister says Samantha and Elena ‘touched so many hearts’. She says Samantha was a wonderful mother and that her kids were everything to her.

According to the family, Samantha leaves behind four sons, all of whom are under the age of 11.